Capturing Magical Creatures

"It is strange that most animals know why they are hunted, and almost all of them know what to be on guard against."

— Pliny, Natural History, Book VIII

Once found, a creature will have to be captured, and people have historically used many clever methods for trapping various creatures. Snares are a favorite for small animals, but they have to be checked regularly to make sure a captive animal hasn't chewed its own leg off to get out of the snare. Larger animals are often chased to exhaustion and then lassoed. Fish can be caught using hooks and lures, nets, and sometimes underwater traps. Birds are usually captured while young, before they can fly, although elaborate wooden traps can also be erected and sprung once the bird has flown inside. Larger animals might be driven into concealed cages or prepared pits in the ground.